Who will you meet at our Virtual Roundtable?

2016-01-28

How will City Year help launch your career? Find out on Thursday, February 4 during our next Virtual Roundtable. You’ll hear from three of our current AmeriCorps members: Justin Borroto, Laura Echezabal and Jessica Mendez. We know how awkward, or nerve-wrecking, it can be to meet new people. So, to help break the ice, here’s a few things you should know about our panelists!

Name: Justin Borroto

Site: City Year DC

University: University of Miami

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Three things you would bring to a deserted island with you?

My iPhone (loaded with cell service and the complete Adele discography), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and lots of Cuban food.

Oh, good picks! Okay, on a more serious note: Why did you join City Year?

I joined City Year because I'm passionate about changing the system lack of educational equity that exists for our students in low-income communities.

What's one highlight from this service year, so far?

Getting to see the students I worked with last year build relationships with a new team of City Years. It's inspiring to see my team this year build on to the work that we did last year and for the students to receive our continued support and love.

What are you thinking about doing after City Year?

I'm applying to teaching certification programs so I can continue my service in education as a classroom teacher!

Name: Laura Echezabal

Site: City Year Providence

University: Bryant University

Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island

Top pick as your Karaoke song?

Anything Country!

Tell us, why did you join City Year?

I joined City Year, and specifically the Providence site, because when I was down the people of Providence picked me back up. I feel that not many people believe in the children that I am working with every day, and I want them to know that I believe in them. All it took was one person to believe in me and look how far I have come. Where you are born should not determine where you end up.

What's one highlight from this service year, so far?

One highlight from my service year so far is when I gave the students holiday cards, and one of them told me that it was the greatest gift he received so far. He said he was going to hang it up on his bedroom wall and I started crying. He told me to toughen up!

That’s so sweet! He sounds like a great student. So, what are you thinking about doing after City Year?

My dream is to work for the National Park Service. They protect the underrated beauty of America, and I want to help give an opportunity for every child to see what a real force of nature is. When I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time, it was like time stood still.

Name: Jessica Mendez

Site: City Year San Jose

University: University of California, Santa Barbara

Hometown: Oxnard, California

What’s your favorite cartoon?

Danny Phantom was the best show ever!

What’s not to love about someone who’s half-ghost? Ha So, why did you join City Year?

I joined City Year because I wanted to help students realize their potential so that they could strive toward achieving their goals without letting anything get in their way.

What's one highlight from this service year, so far?

One of my highlights has been having a student come up to me at the beginning of class and giving me a small gift he had made saying, “This is sorry for yesterday.” He had a really bad day the day before and yelled in our after-school class. I know apologizing took a lot of effort for him, and it really made my day to see him ready to turn things around.

What are you thinking about doing after City Year?

I am thinking about becoming a substitute teacher for a year until I figure out the next steps for becoming an educator.

Will you join us on February 4? We’d love to have you! Don’t forget to register here!

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